News Release

Monday, August 21, 2006

Man Dies in Coma After 26 Days

Los Angeles: A 39-year-old man died from brain injuries after surviving 26 days in a coma.

On June 9, 2006, Los Angeles police officers were flagged down near Vine Street and Hollywood Boulevard. Bystanders noticed a man acting strangely in the street. He was throwing himself down and running in front of cars.

Two patrol officers stopped to investigate and detained Monte Allen Beck, who was suffering from an apparent head injury and other injuries related to throwing himself on the pavement. The officers called for an ambulance, but the man went into cardiac arrest before it arrived.

Paramedics revived Beck and took him to Queen of Angels Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital where Beck lay in a coma for the next 26 days. He died on July 5, 2006, around 3 PM.

As the man died after having been in the custody of the police department, Force Investigation Division is conducting an investigation into Beck death, which has been classified as an in-custody death. No use of force was reported on the part of the police officers who helped Beck.

Beck was never arrested for any crime. His initial detention was for his protection and to get him medical help.